Sandals hotel positions for new market, readopts old name

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has pumped $305 million into the renovation of its smallest property, the 52-room Sandals Inn at Kent Avenue in Montego Bay, which was recently reopened and renamed Sandals Carlyle.

Sandals' chief executive officer, Adam Stewart of SRI, told the Financial Gleaner via email that the upgrading of the hotel, which it acquired in 1982, when it was known as Carlyle Beach, would now make it "part of the resort chain's luxury-included concept wherein Sandals Carlyle will be held to the highest standards in the boutique hotel arena".

The makeover included soft-furnishing upgrades throughout, as well as a total redo of the 22 top-category ocean-view rooms.

These rooms, Stewart said, now showcase upgraded soft furnishings, the most up-to-date bathroom fixtures and amenities, as well as chic designer colour schemes and wet bars.

Stewart said refurbishing work extended to the hotel's pool deck, which now has new lighting features, a renovated lounge with wet bar and a 50-inch plasma television.

He said additional improvements are planned for next year. This includes the introduction of Sandals Resorts' exclusive butler service for all 22 grande luxe ocean-view rooms, beginning April 1, 2010.

"Also on stream for the property is another Sandals Resorts exclusive, its very own Red Lane Spa," Stewart added.

Despite the upgrade, the Sandals CEO said there were "no plans to change the rates" of the hotel at this time, although the property would be marketed at the higher end.